Marlene Miller

Marlene Kandyce Miller, 65, passed away on June 27, 2022, in her home surrounded by her family after a long illness. A funeral service was held on Friday, July1, 2022 at 10 a.m., at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny, Iowa, with a visitation from 5 – 7 p.m. the night before at the Ankeny Funeral Home. Burial will took place at the Butler Center Cemetery in Allison, Iowa.

Marlene was born on July 16, 1956, to the late Herbert and Maxine Freese and graduated from Allison-Bristow high school in 1974. Later that year, she married her husband, Rickey Donald Miller, and was married for 47 wonderful years. Marlene and Rick have two daughters, Emily and Erin. 

Marlene was a Cyclone retiring with 22 years of service at Iowa State University in the Office of Admissions. She was one of the first to meet prospective students as they visited ISU, and co-workers noted how friendly, patient, and caring she was – making her the ideal person for that role.

A talented musician, Marlene began piano lessons at age eight and later played the organ. She was a church organist, pianist, and accompanist throughout her life; additionally, she taught piano lessons from her home. Marlene adored spending time with family – especially taking walks outside or sitting in the sunshine with a book. During the pandemic, she read books to her granddaughters via zoom almost daily. Marlene felt blessed to have her children at home for 34 years because of the 16-year age difference between Emily and Erin. 

Marlene’s patience and calming presence were noted by everyone she encountered. She was a solid rock in the family, reminding her kin that “slow and steady wins the race.” The family was her motivation to continue fighting her illness for the past two years. The family banded together to fight cancer as a team. Marlene was a constant source of inspiration as a breast cancer survivor herself. She recently rallied her daughter Emily through her breast cancer journey. As a nurse, daughter Erin provided Marlene with loving care and professional knowledge. Rick bolstered his family during Marlene’s illness with his characteristic love and calm presence.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Rick, and their family dog, Neo, who was her constant companion and protector these past several months; daughter Emily (Brock) Weers and two granddaughters, Megan and Mallory of College Station, TX; daughter Erin (Nathan Meador) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Three siblings also survive Marlene: Kendall (Marsha) Freese of Diamond Springs, CA; Sydney (Randy) Brinkman of Allison, IA; and Leanne (Ron Rivers) Schipper of Waverly, IA, and several in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Maxine Freese. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to purchase an ISU chime paver or to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church music program. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AnkenyFuneralHome.com for the Miller family.